Gerald Ford met Elizabeth Bloomer Warren while practicing law in Grand Rapids, Mich., after World War II. They were married on Oct. 15, 1948, just before his election to Congress.

Year: 1948
Who: former President Gerald R. Ford and former first-lady Betty Bloomer Ford

A $50 wedding dress and muddy boots with a dark suit, the couple got married in Grand Rapids, Michigan during a campaign rally. Gerald even had to leave the rehersal dinner to go make a campaign speech and the day after the wedding they attended a political rally, went to a University of Michigan football game, and heard Thomas Dewey give a speech. For 58 years, they were a couple whose love story was the bedrock of their lives.

Create a vintage inspired wedding for not much more than it cost back in the 40′s. 

Dress: Stop Staring 40′s Style Dress by Unique-Vintage
Cost:  $138

Hat: Katherin Hepburn by BoringSidney on Etsy
Cost: $150

Shoes: Nine West Annaca at Zappos
Cost: $79

If you don’t want to show up in all black, try adding a splash of color to the look for a complete retro flair. Also you could find white versions of the same outfit by shopping at Unique-Vintage.com .

You don’t have to wear white just because it is what is on sale in the bridal store. Wearing white didn’t become fashionable until 1840 when Queen Victoria married Albert of Saxe-Coburg. The white choice was to incorporate some lace the Queen had owned, and when the portraits from her wedding were published many brides chose to wear white as well to honor the Queen.

The tradition of white continues today and many believe it to be the color of virginity, however, that is untrue as it was blue that was connected to purity. In the 19th century Finland made it very fashionable to wear black to one’s own wedding and broke the taboo of a bride in red (which was connected to prostitution) or the color of mourning, which was black.

Today, many dresses are colored red, the traditional color of good luck and auspiciousness believed by cultures in China, India and Vietnam. Couture fashion designers are creating their most elegant dresses in a pure red to meet the rising demand for these colored gowns.

So what is a trunk show?  To begin with it is a showing of designer’s merchandise to entice buyers to make a purchase of a particular item that day. It started by designers bringing select clothing to a boutique to engage shoppers to view items in the trunk and buy on special from the maker of the design.

Today’s bridal trunk shows are more about seeing the latest line of gowns from a designer and being able to get custom dresses or same-day sale price that can often be hundreds under the retail price. Attending a trunk show can be a fun event where you can spend the day trying on couture fashion and enjoying a lively atmosphere at a bridal boutique. Often times boutiques have lots of brides-to-be trying on dresses during a trunk show event, so call ahead and schedule an appointment to secure a chance at seeing a designer gown on.  Also many times designers will bring dresses in only a few sizes, ranging from 2-10 so if you are a particular size be sure to state so when scheduling an appointment.

Want to save 10% off of a Maggie Sottero wedding gown? Attend the trunk show at Fantasy Bridal, October 19th-24th, during designer week. An authorized retail representative will be available during the show to answer any questions you have about a particular gown or the Maggie Sottero line.

Head up to Park City for the Jenny Yoo bridesmaid dresses trunk show, and see Jenny Yoo’s entire collection for bridesmaids. Make a day of it with your wedding party by including a brunch in Park City and a unique photo shoot for your bridesmaids.

Enjoy finding the perfect dress for your wedding day.

Bridesmaid Dresses and Gowns

It isn’t 1983 and you don’t have to dress your bridesmaids in puffy sleeves and satin hot pink gowns. This is your wedding and you get to select dresses that will look beautiful on your day and please your wedding party as well.

1. Give them as much notice as possible.  As soon as you know a wedding date, work next on selecting your wedding party.  They will want to have as much time for getting ready for your event as you do.  Your maid of honor will help you plan and put together the wedding, and you will NEED her assistance.
2. Ask your bridesmaid about style and preferences. By selecting a gown that they can get multiple uses out of, you will have much more enthusiasm from your party on picking a gown that works for everyone. Be sure to voice your desires for look and style, remember, this is YOUR wedding.
3. Plan a day to go try on dresses for the wedding party. Set up a morning brunch where you meet and have a girls day of pampering and fun. Make this process an event to look forward to. You can send invites to a girls party where you will start the day with pedicures, then try on dresses and end it with dinner and cocktails. Be sure to schedule all appointments ahead of time with the vendors.
4. After selecting gowns that are flattering and fun, pick out accessories like shoes, handbags and hair pins if needed. This way you will know that the look is exactly what you want from head to toe.
5. As a bonus surprise to your wedding party, schedule a photo shoot with your photographer that will just feature your bridesmaid.  This is similar to your bridals but can be a bit more creative and gives your party a rehearsal practice for the big day. Your party will love having a photo shoot of them and they will get a few uses of the dress.

Bridesmaid gowns do not have to break the bank.  We purchased the dresses featured in the photo for this article from David’s Bridal who was having a special occasion sale and paid just $50 each! The photography was done by Bliss Media in Salt Lake City at a unique location by the Great Salt Lake near Saltair. It was a fun and creative way to feature the bridesmaids and dresses for a wedding event.

Bridesmaid Dress Etiquette

• It is the bride’s privilege to select the color and type of fabric of the bridesmaids’ dresses.
• It is traditional for bridesmaids to pay for their own attire, including accessories.

Bridesmaid Task

• If the bride asks about helping her with ideas on where to have the wedding, help her with scouting around and going to the different places. It may be a great idea to drive so she can focus on each location.
• Make sure to pick up your bridesmaid dress in a “reasonable” amount of time in case of additional fittings.
• Help the bride in the seating arrangement. This can be a very difficult process with the more people coming to the wedding. Many times it makes it easier to draw out the tables and move people around until you have a close to perfect fit. Note: It is very helpful to bring this drawing to the wedding just in case there are any mix-ups, you will save the day!
• Help Plan the Bridal Shower with the Maid of Honor as well as the Bachelorette Party!

This hemp dress by RGD is not only sexy and unique, but made of completely environmentally friendly material and processes. We love it!

The style, material and the fact that it uses Peace silk for the gold ruffle. Peace” silk means that the life cycle of the silk producing caterpillar is allowed to naturally fulfill itself.

Purchasing a dress that is earth-friendly goes towards creating the beautiful look for your special day and having a long-lasting impact on a much more global way for positive change in both environmental causes and good labor practices.

Purchase eco-friendly bridesmaid’s dresses for your wedding party, they will thank you and the earth will appreciate your attention to doing the right thing. Rene Geneva Designs creates bridesmaids dresses that are cutting-edge in fashion and right for the cause.  She is also supportive of women’s rights in critical places where she teaches fair trade for sewing skills in places like Central Nicaragua and has the support of the Whole Planet Foundation and Pro Mujer.

Complete the entire look with a unique wedding corset to set you apart from tradition and make a lasting impression on your guest without making a lasting impression on the earth.

Being green doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice fashion or a unique look.  Just means researching the provider to insure they are using environmentally friendly products and practices.  We are in love with the line by Rene Geneva Design and hope to be featuring the gown at our wedding.

Vampires are as old as fashion according to True Blood and this last few weeks we saw a return to vintage fashion.  From Rachel Wood’s character Queen Sophie-Ann who reminds us that elegance is a timeless look, to the season finale, we are brought back to that silver screen sexiness that is vintage fashion.

The season finale of True Blood had a bizarre wedding between Mary Ann and her to-be God husband, but in true fashion it was the Grandmother’s wedding dress that stole the scene.  We saw a return of the vintage wedding dress and it was pure fashion brilliance. Only Mary Ann could make something time stamped seem completely relivent and timely.  So it ask the question, “Is vintage wedding the new black?”.

Stunning hair, beautiful woman and the ability to make a classic dress look as it was a fresh design by Vera Wang.  Stunning.

With all things fashion you see that the classics often reintroduce themselves as new designs.  Vintage wedding gowns have become another sales stradegy for “unique” or “non-traditional”, yet they are the timeless beauties that will always be elegant and glamorous.  Beautiful brides are timeless.

I have found a great source of affordable vintage bridal gowns at Unique Vintage that range in formal to flapper and all price ranges in between.

My favorites include:

Whimsical Antique Dress

$1,050.00 – Whimsical Antique Style

$198.00 – Antique Gold & Mocha Wedding Dress

$150.00 – *Exclusive* Stop Staring 40′s Wedding Dress

See full line of wedding gowns at Unique Vintage and bring back fashion that is timeless and stunning for every new bride.

The SOLD OUT dress is a shorter version of the two toned wedding dress worn on the SATC movie, and it is more contemporary in style with the knee length cocktail style:

I love the champagne color and style of the dress. The shorter dress is just perfect for a fall wedding or a destination wedding.  Since this dress is sold out and the price tag is just a bit out of my reach, I have found several options that might work as replacements.

The original Vivienne Westwood is a romantic beautiful creation with two tones and some jewel embellishments on the neckline, the shorter dress did not (maybe that is where the savings is), but it is practically the same as the full length gown that retailed for over $25,000.

Let me introduce you to Sarah Danielle who has a full length dress that is so similar that you can feel like Carrie Bradshaw in full wedding fashion on your day for only a fraction of the price.

One catch, you will need to travel to get the dress, as we don’t have any stores in Utah – but what is an extra trip for the perfect dress, right?

The  Sarah Danielle dress retails for an affordable $1,125 and is similar in design including the designer neckline. It is only one color but with the $20,000 in savings you can buy a sash to add to the dress or even take a much needed honeymoon to NYC.